The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are heating up, with five series already underway and two more dropping the puck on Monday. In the Central Division, teams are heading into Game 2 of their matchups.
Here’s a look at Monday`s four-game schedule:
- Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals, Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
- St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets, Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
- Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
What are the main storylines as we head into these Monday matchups? Which players should you keep an eye on?
Continue reading for game previews featuring statistical insights, recaps from Sunday`s games, and Arda Öcal`s Three Stars of Sunday night.
Matchup Notes
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals
Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
The 2010 playoff series between these two teams has been a frequent topic this past week.
In that series, the top-seeded Capitals, with Alex Ovechkin, were surprisingly defeated by the eighth-seeded Canadiens, largely due to a stellar goaltending performance by Jaroslav Halak. This time, Sam Montembeault will likely be in net for Montreal, coming off a game against Washington where he allowed four goals on 35 shots. Washington`s Game 1 goalie is still unconfirmed due to Logan Thompson`s recent injury. The Capitals were high-scoring this season, ranking second in the NHL with 3.49 goals per game, while the Canadiens were 17th at 2.96. Can Montreal`s offense match up in this series?
St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The Blues kept pace with the Jets in Game 1, showing potential for an upset. A win in Winnipeg would shift momentum before heading back to St. Louis. The Blues showed Connor Hellebuyck isn`t unbeatable, with key performances from Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas in Game 1. Winnipeg`s history after winning Game 1 is mixed at 3-3 (including Atlanta Thrashers history). Like St. Louis, Winnipeg`s stars like Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele performed, with Alex Iafallo scoring the game-tying goal.
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Stars might want to forget Game 1, where the Avalanche were largely in control. Dallas missed Jason Robertson (injured in the regular season finale), whose return would be a boost; he had three goals against Colorado this season. Teams up 2-0 in a best-of-seven series win 86% of the time.
Slowing down Colorado`s stars is crucial for Game 2. Nathan MacKinnon`s two goals in Game 1 made him the third Avalanche/Nordiques player with 50 playoff goals, joining Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. Cale Makar reached 60 playoff assists in his 73rd game, the third-fastest defenseman in NHL history behind Bobby Orr and Al MacInnis.
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
This is the fourth straight year the Oilers and Kings face off in Round 1, with Edmonton winning the previous three series. Will the Kings turn the tables this time?
L.A. was 3-1-0 against Edmonton this season, including two shutouts in April. Quinton Byfield played well in those games, with three goals and an assist. Adrian Kempe led the Kings in scoring with 35 goals and 38 assists. Warren Foegele, formerly of the Oilers, had a career-high 24 goals this season.
The Oilers have 41 playoff series wins, second-most among non-Original Six teams (behind the Flyers). They`ve been eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup winner in the last three playoffs. Edmonton is still led by Leon Draisaitl, this season`s top goal scorer, and Connor McDavid, last year`s playoff MVP.
Arda`s Three Stars of Sunday
Toronto`s Core Four
Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares
The Leafs` Core Four had a strong Game 1 against Ottawa, silencing past criticisms of playoff underperformance. Marner, Nylander, and Tavares each had a goal and an assist, while Matthews had two assists in Toronto`s 6-2 victory.
Logan Stankoven
C, Carolina Hurricanes
Stankoven`s two second-period goals extended Carolina`s lead in their 4-1 Game 1 win. He is only the second player in Hurricanes/Whalers history to score twice in his playoff debut with the team.
Brett Howden
C, Vegas Golden Knights
Howden scored two third-period goals, including a buzzer-beating empty-netter, in the Golden Knights` Game 1 victory over the Wild.
Sunday`s Results
Hurricanes 4, Devils 1
Carolina leads 1-0
The Hurricanes took an early lead with Jalen Chatfield scoring in the first period. Logan Stankoven added two goals in the second. Injuries impacted the Devils, with Brenden Dillon and Cody Glass leaving the game early.
Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Toronto leads 1-0
Toronto dominated the first Battle of Ontario playoff game. Goals from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and Matthew Knies secured the win. Ottawa`s goals were scored by Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig.
Golden Knights 4, Wild 2
Vegas leads 1-0
After two close periods, Brett Howden scored twice in the third, including an empty-net goal at the buzzer, to secure Vegas`s win. Matt Boldy scored both goals for the Wild.
Rupert Hartwell